Cooney sparkles at Emerald

Friday, 08 February 2013 From Issue Vol. XXI No. 6

PSC golf Bunker Boys @ The Ranch

Monday, Jan. 28, Mt. Shadow – Stableford

Interesting high season weather today as 25 golfers set off in light rain, which got heavier and heavier as we approached the Mountain Shadow course. Entering the clubhouse we were confronted by around 40 to 50 golfers anxiously waiting to see if they could start their round, and even a min-bus filling up with golfers who had already decided to call it a day.

The Bunker Boys are (mostly) a hardy lot, and Colin Greig was heard to say “I’m playing today, no matter what”, whilst four of the fair weather golfers (who shall remain nameless) decided to head for home.

Mike Corner, January ‘Golfer of the Month’.

We sat around for about 15 minutes past our tee time, and then decided to head off in light rain, and by the time the third group had finished the first hole the rain had stopped and it remained dry for the rest of the day. Mountain Shadow is one of the quickest drying courses in the area, and after a couple holes, the course was in good shape, in fact the fourth, fifth and sixth groups commented that they had a completely dry round!

Tony Berry was the star on the day, carding 3 birdies in 5 holes on his way to 36 points, winning the A Flight, but he was second place overall on the day to Gary Austin who scored 38 points in the B Flight.

Richard Baldotto, playing his final game before returning to U.K., took second place in the B Flight and a near pin – hard luck Richard, going back to the cold weather just when you start to get some form – but see you next year!

A Flight

1st Tony Berry (10) 36pts

2nd Gerry Cooney (14) 35pts

3rd Keith Norman (12) 35pts

B Flight

Wednesday, Jan. 30, The Emerald – Medal

The second medal round of the month saw a good turnout for the popular Emerald course. The course was in reasonable condition, but unfortunately the rain was intermittent all day and came down particularly heavily as the last few groups were completing the final holes.

Nothing however, could dampen Gerry Cooney’s day as he went through the outward nine in two over par, and eventually finished in the clubhouse with a net 67, which was only one point better than Peter Habgood who won the B Flight with net 68. Both winners were playing off handicaps a couple of shots higher than they would consider normal, so they’ll hopefully be back playing off their “real” handicaps soon!

Jack Robertson had a bit of a drama with red ants, and was the first player to fall foul of the new Bunker rule, when he mistakenly thought he was entitled to a free drop, only to be pulled up by our ever vigilant rules official, Tony Robbins. Tony had a traumatic day himself, as he encountered tree trouble on the par four 12th hole, eventually carding a eight, which cost him dearly on the day, and also effectively ended his late charge for the Golfer of the Month title.

Mike Corner took January’s title, even though he’s been absent in sunny Bhutan for the last three games – get ready to ring the bell when you come back next week Mike!

A Flight

1st Gerry Cooney (14) net 67

2nd Paul Smith (2) net 71

3rd Tony Robbins (12) net 72

B Flight

1st Peter Habgood (21) net 68

2nd Jorn Hughes (17) net 72

3rd Eddie Kelly (17) net 74

Near Pins: Gary Austin, Tony Robbins and Paul Smith (2).

Friday, Feb. 1, Khaow Keow C&B – Stableford

Thirty-one golfers today as we set off to Khao Keow in bright sunny weather, in total contrast to the last few games. We arrived at the course to find, yet again, there were no caddies and some of us had to make do with gardeners, kitchen staff, and in my case an engineer - fortunately my “engineer” turned out to be an 8 handicap golfer, who could read the greens better than most caddies!

The first group got away after only a few minutes delay and the round progressed smoothly with only a few minor holdups for the rest of the day. The course is in good shape at the moment, although a few golfers thought the greens could have been quicker – masochists!

We had the pleasure of the company of aspiring professional Patrick Kelly who had a fine round of gross 70 (off the back tees), but with his +3 handicap, this only gave him 35 points. Patrick was one of those that suffered a little on the greens, and his score included 35 putts, so with a little bit of good fortune he could have been carding a truly superb score.

Colin Greig was the best of the “lesser mortals” and the only other golfer to better his handicap on the day, winning the A flight on 37 points. Neil Griffin won the B flight with 34 points, but there was a whole clutch of golfers with 31 points giving Buff a real headache to sort out the count backs.

A Flight

1st Colin Greig (9) 37pts

2nd Keith Norman (12) 36pts

B Flight

1st Neil Griffin (hcp. 27) 34pts

Near Pins: Gerry Cooney, Patrick Kelly and Lee Butler (2).

The Bunker Boys are a PSC affiliated golf society, who now play out of The Ranch bar on Pattaya 3rd Road (in front of the fire station, and almost opposite the Buffalo Bar). We play three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so if you enjoy a fun day out, and a friendly but competitive golf competition why not come and join us.

We meet at The Ranch at 9 a.m. for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always welcome. Contact Buff on 086 046 5091 or 080 605 5663 for all enquiries. You can find all the news, schedules and results on our website at www.bunkersociety.com.

This article was published in the Pattaya Mail newspaper on Friday February 8, 2013 (Vol. XXI No. 6).